The Spirit of Sweetgrass
by Nicole Seitz
Published by Integrity Publishers
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Reviewed by Eileen Key
At seventy-eight, Essie Mae Laveau has had her share of troubles. She buried her husband and has an ungrateful daughter, Henrietta. But now she's found her joy, weaving sweetgrass baskets. Her grandson EJ built her a stand on Highway 17 outside Charlotte, North Carolina to sell her wares. Alongside her in a pink plastic chair sits Daddy Jim, her late husband, encouraging and providing her company.
When Essie Mae recalls how to weave a love basket, she sets her sights on a young blonde and a boy she helped raise. Surely God would want these two to unite. At Jim's suggestion, she weaves a basket for herself and him. That'll get her to heaven sooner, she's sure.
As heaven's gates open for Essie Mae, she meets and greets those who went before--contemporaries as well as Jesus, African slaves and Gullahs. What a glorious place to be. But her connection with the earth isn't severed. She still has work to do. Her departure has left a family rift. She'll need to finish some business before she's released to celebrate.
Steeped in traditions of the Gullah people, Nicole Seitz gives readers a rich character in Essie Mae and much local flavor. Her depiction of heaven and the afterlife is heartwarming and unique.
Armchair Interviews says: A well-written inspirational read.
Author's Web site: http://www.nicoleseitz.com